Ornamental Assemblies and Methods

ABSTRACT

Ornamental assemblies are provided that can include a decorative fireplace portion supporting a decorative chimney portion, wherein both portions are configured to be removably-fixedly attached to a wall structure, and wherein the decorative fireplace portion defines and opening simulating a fireplace opening; and a door operably coupled within the opening. Ornamental methods are provided that can include providing an ornamental fireplace having a door operably coupled to the fireplace opening; attaching the fireplace to a wall structure within a dwelling; and periodically exchanging one decorative surface of the interior of the fireplace for another decorative surface of the interior of the fireplace.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to ornamental assemblies and methods, and more particularly to Christmas ornamental assemblies and methods.

BACKGROUND

As Christmas has passed down through the ages, the tales of Christmas past have incorporated the surroundings of our dwellings of yesteryear. Particularly in the past, almost each and every home had some form of heating unit centrally located within the home and having an exhaust that was readily available as an access point to the outside of the dwelling. The classic example is the fireplace, typically constructed of masonry such as brick or stone. The fireplace provided an opening and reasonable explanation for how Kris Kringle (aka Santa Claus) provided presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

Modern dwellings do not typically contain such a heating apparatus, so the explanation for little children as to where the presents were provided from can be a difficult one to envision. The present disclosure provides ornamental assemblies and methods that may be collapsible and can be assembled for the holidays and disassembled upon the end of the holidays, and likewise can provide a warming hearth-like atmosphere for a dwelling.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Ornamental assemblies are provided that can include a decorative fireplace portion supporting a decorative chimney portion, wherein both portions are configured to be removably-fixedly attached to a wall structure, and wherein the decorative fireplace portion defines an opening simulating a fireplace opening; and a door operably coupled within the opening.

Ornamental methods are provided that can include providing an ornamental fireplace having a door operably coupled to the fireplace opening; attaching the fireplace to a wall structure within a dwelling; and periodically exchanging one decorative surface of the interior of the fireplace for another decorative surface of the interior of the fireplace.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the disclosure are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an ornamental apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an ornamental apparatus according to another embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an ornamental apparatus according to another embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an ornamental apparatus according to another embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an ornamental apparatus according to another embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an ornamental apparatus placed within the dwelling according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an ornamental apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a rear view of an ornamental apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an ornamental apparatus according to an embodiment.

DESCRIPTION

This disclosure is submitted in furtherance of the constitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote the progress of science and useful arts” (Article 1, Section 8).

Replica fireplaces may be utilized during the Holiday season to overcome the barrage of questions regarding Saint Nick and provide a warming holiday season ambiance. However, the constructing a replica fireplace just for Christmas can be a daunting task.

Ornamental assemblies and methods will be described with reference to FIGS. 1-9. FIG. 1 is an ornamental assembly 10 according to an embodiment that includes a rear portion 12 configured to be removably coupled to a wall portion of a dwelling. From rear portion 12, side walls 13 extend to front portion 14. Rear portion 12, side walls 13 and front portion 14 can form the chimney of the assembly that is meant to resemble a fireplace, for example.

Chimney portion 16 can extend above fireplace portion 18, and fireplace portion 18 can have a fireplace portion opening 20. From opening 20, chimney 18 can extend to a chimney cap 22, the entirety of which can form a decorative wall mounted fireplace. In accordance with example implementations, fireplace portion 18 can be decorative and support a decorative chimney portion 16. Both portions 16 and 18 can be configured to be removably-fixedly attached to a wall structure such as the interior portion of a dwelling. Decorative fireplace portion 18 can define an opening 20 configured to simulate a fireplace opening, for example.

Opening 20 can be configured as a fixed or operable door, for example, and/or left completely open. The door may be equipped with a three dimensional door knob as well. Exterior portions such as side walls 13 and front facing portions 14 can be configured to resemble the classic chimney construction such as stone or masonry construction, for example.

In accordance with example implementations, the ornamental assembly can be configured to be in a first position to be removably-fixedly attached to the wall structure as shown in FIGS. 1-9, for example. The ornamental assembly can also be configured to be in a second position for storage. This second position can be a deconstructed position of the first position wherein the walls and/or panels are folded and/or disconnected to provided for surface to surface stacking of the walls and/or panels. In the second position, the ornamental assembly can be considered flat in relation to the first position of the ornamental assembly. Example implementations of the ornamental assembly can be constructed of paperboard to facilitate such storage and/or construction.

Referring to FIG. 2, ornamental assembly 30 is shown having rear portion 32 extending from front portion 34 via side walls 33. Rear portion 32, side walls 33 and front portion 34 can form chimney portion 36 which rests above hearth or fireplace portion 38. According to an example embodiment, opening 40 within fireplace portion 38 can have placements for classical hangings such as stockings to be placed with care, for example, and opening 40 can also have a sign attached therewith such as “Welcome Santa,” as shown. One or both of portions 36 and/or 38 can be configured to support illuminary assemblies such as lighting structures. For example, around chimney portion 36 can be wrapped light assemblies 42, and these light assemblies 42 can be powered by power cord 44.

Referring to FIG. 3, another ornamental assembly 50 is shown with a calendar attachment 52 placed on chimney portion 56. Calendar attachment 52 can be configured to have numbered days that can be operatively removably exchanged to count the days before Christmas, for example. According to another embodiment, calendar apparatus 52 can be configured as an Advent calendar as well.

Referring to FIG. 4, ornamental assembly 60 is shown that includes an outer decorative portion that includes pictures and descriptions of Christmas festive items such as candy canes, Christmas trees, and Christmas ornaments as well as presents and stocking caps. This is just another example embodiment of the exterior of the decorative apparatus according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, according to yet another embodiment, front portion 74 of ornamental assembly 70 can include openings 1-25 that represent the 25 days leading up to and including Christmas Day. The assembly can be implemented to have a chimney portion that is configured to support a calendar. For example, in its entirety, the front portion of decorative apparatus 70 can be in the configuration of a fireplace and chimney configuration with an opening 80 providing an access for Santa as well as openings 1-25 that indicate the days leading up to and including Christmas Day. Accordingly, the front portion 74 can be configured as an Advent calendar.

Referring to FIG. 6, a configuration of an in-home setting 90 is provided that demonstrates an embodiment of ornamental assembly 100 mounted on a wall 102 of a dwelling. Assembly 100 can be coupled to power outlet 104 which is also proximate to another holiday decoration such as a Christmas tree 106.

Referring to FIG. 7, ornamental assembly 110 can include interchangeable chimney portions 112 and 114. According to an example embodiment, during certain times of the Christmas season, portion 114, such as a board, may be placed at or within the hearth or fireplace opening portion of apparatus 110, and then upon Christmas Day or Christmas Eve, portion 114 may be removed to reveal an opening 112 through which Santa can arrive and provide presents. In accordance with other implementations, a door to the opening can be opened to reveal portion 114. Portion 114 can be interchanged with other portions to occupy the same area of the assembly.

Throughout the use of the assembly, these portions can be interchanged and revealed when the door is opened. Example interchangeable and/or removable portions can include removable portions which can be configured to be placed within the fireplace. The removable portion can have a decorative surface or appearance when viewed through the opening of the fireplace. As depicted in FIG. 7, portion 114 can depict a mystical pattern that can be found upon opening the door through which Santa will pass. This pattern can include stars, moons, suns, swirls, glitter, holiday icons, glow in the dark elements or anything suggesting a magical portal or vortex through which Santa will pass.

In accordance with example implementations, an ornamental method is provided that includes providing an ornamental assembly such as assembly 110 with assembly 110 having a door operably coupled to the fireplace opening. The method can continue by attaching the assembly such as the ornamental fireplace to a wall structure within a dwelling, and periodically exchanging one decorative surface of the interior of the fireplace for another decorative surface of the interior of the fireplace. The decorative or ornamental surface can be exchanged in accordance with traditional holiday events.

The ornamental assembly can be provided by unfolding an ornamental fireplace from a folded position to a display or erected position. The method can also include opening the door to view the decorative surface. The method can also include an ornamental assembly that includes a chimney structure. Lighting assemblies can be associated with the chimney structure. The chimney structure can include flapped enclosures, such as those depicted in FIG. 5, for example. The method can include providing items to within the flapped enclosures. The flapped enclosures may also be associated with a holiday event such as countdown to Christmas Day.

Referring to FIG. 8, an example rear view of assembly 120 is shown. According to example embodiments, apparatus 120 can include coupling apparatus such as the panels 122 having therein openings provided to couple with wall mounting apparatuses such as nails or screws.

Referring to FIG. 9, assembly 130 is shown that includes openings 132 and 134 for example. According to example implementations, the fireplace portion of the assembly can define at least two openings with the door operably coupled within one of the openings 132 and the other of the openings 134 configured to simulate a fire. The two openings can be considered an opening for Santa 132 and a pseudo fireplace opening 134.

The disclosed assemblies can be configured to be constructed of panels such as paperboard or cardboard panels. These panels can be coupled to one another as designed by a person of ordinary skill in the collapsible box arts to be assembled to form the assembled ornament and disassembled for storage. The panels of the assembly may also be configured to be releasably coupled to one another providing an assembly that may be constructed panel by panel and/or disassembled in the same fashion.

In compliance with the statute, embodiments of the invention have been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the entire invention is not limited to the specific features and/or embodiments shown and/or described, since the disclosed embodiments comprise forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents. 

1. An ornamental assembly comprising: a decorative fireplace portion supporting a decorative chimney portion, wherein both portions are configured to be removably-fixedly attached to a wall structure, and wherein the decorative fireplace portion defines an opening simulating a fireplace opening; and a door operably coupled within the opening.
 2. The ornamental assembly of claim 1 further comprising a removable surface portion within the fireplace, the surface portion configured to provide a decorative appearance to the interior of the fireplace.
 3. The ornamental assembly of claim 1 wherein the assembly is configured to be in a first position to be removably-fixedly attached to the wall structure and can also be configured to be in a second position for storage.
 4. The ornamental assembly of claim 3 wherein the assembly is constructed primarily of paperboard.
 5. The ornamental assembly of claim 3 wherein in the second position the assembly is flat relative to the first position.
 6. The ornamental assembly of claim 1 wherein either one or both portions of the assembly are configured to support light structures.
 7. The ornamental assembly of claim 6 wherein the chimney portion is configured to support Christmas lights.
 8. The ornamental assembly of claim 1 wherein the fireplace portion defines at least two openings with the door operably coupled within one of the openings and the other of the openings configured to simulate a fire.
 9. The ornamental assembly of claim 1 wherein the chimney portion is configured to support a calendar.
 10. An ornamental method comprising: providing an ornamental fireplace having a door operably coupled to the fireplace opening; attaching the fireplace to a wall structure within a dwelling; and periodically exchanging one decorative surface of the interior of the fireplace for another decorative surface of the interior of the fireplace.
 11. The ornamental method of claim 10 wherein the providing comprises unfolding the ornamental fireplace from a folded position to a display position.
 12. The ornamental method of claim 11 wherein the ornamental fireplace is primarily constructed of paperboard material.
 13. The ornamental method of claim 10 further comprising opening the door to view the decorative surface.
 14. The ornamental method of claim 10 wherein the ornamental surface is exchanged in accordance with traditional holiday events.
 15. The ornamental method of claim 10 wherein the ornamental fireplace includes a chimney structure.
 16. The ornamental method of claim 15 further comprising associating light assemblies with the chimney of the fireplace.
 17. The ornamental method of claim 15 wherein the chimney of the fireplace includes flapped enclosures.
 18. The ornamental method of claim 17 further comprising providing items within the flapped enclosures.
 19. The ornamental method of claim 17 further comprising associating each of the flapped enclosures with a holiday event.
 20. The ornamental method of claim 19 wherein the holiday event can be countdown to Christmas Day. 